The Cones Phase — Carriage Driving UK

The cones phase is the third and final phase of a combined driving event, held on the last day of competition. Often underestimated by newcomers to the sport, the cones phase is deceptively challenging — particularly because it is driven just 24 hours after the physical demands of the marathon, asking horse and driver to produce precision work when both may be tired and slightly sore.

The phase mirrors, in spirit, the showjumping phase of eventing: a horse that has proved its cross-country bravery must demonstrate that it can still perform with discipline and obedience when the pressure is on. A strong marathon performance can be undone by a careless cones round — making this final phase a critical part of competition strategy.

The Rules

Cone Width and How It Works

The width of the cone gates is precisely regulated by the rulebook. At BDS-affiliated events, cones must be set at a minimum of 30 centimetres wider than the widest point of the competitor's vehicle — which means the gap available to the driver narrows or widens depending on the size of their carriage.

This standardisation is designed to make the challenge equivalent across different vehicle sizes, but it does mean that drivers need to know their vehicle's exact track width (the distance between the outer edges of the wheels) to understand exactly how much room they have on each side as they pass between the cones.

Each pair of cones is topped with a ball — typically a brightly coloured tennis ball — which rests loosely in a cup on top of the cone. Displacing a ball counts as a penalty. This means a cone can be tipped slightly without penalty as long as the ball remains in place — but the margin is slim and confidence quickly becomes overconfidence.

Scoring

The Penalty System

Penalties in the cones phase are accumulated in two ways: knockdowns and time. Three penalty points are awarded for each ball displaced during the round. There is no additional penalty for knocking the cone itself — only the ball counts.

Time penalties are awarded for exceeding the maximum time allowed for the course. The allowance is calculated based on the length of the course and the prescribed speed (typically 200 metres per minute). Each second over the allowance attracts 0.5 penalty points.

Going the wrong way through a gate (error of course) incurs an automatic 5-penalty error, and the driver must return and correctly negotiate the gate before continuing. Course errors can be costly both in penalties and time, so memorising the course accurately is essential.

Key Skills

Four Qualities That Win the Cones Phase

These are the attributes that consistently separate the clear rounds from the costly knockdowns.

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Precision

The ability to judge your vehicle's track width through the cone gaps consistently, at speed, under pressure. This comes from hours of practice at home and deep familiarity with your carriage's dimensions.

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Horse Obedience

A horse that is sharp, responsive and listening to the driver's aids can be placed exactly where needed at any moment. A horse that is dull, heavy or distracted will carry the carriage wide of the line regardless of the driver's intentions.

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Course Memory

The cones course must be memorised in its entirety — typically 16 to 20 gates in a winding, interweaving course. Practising course memorisation as a skill (walking courses on foot, visualising the route) is as important as physical preparation.

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Track Width Awareness

At competition speed, you need an instinctive feel for where your wheels are relative to the cones. This spatial awareness is built through specific practice exercises — for example, driving through progressively narrower gates at home until the correct line becomes automatic.

Advice

Six Tips for a Clear Cones Round

1

Walk the course on foot before you drive. You are permitted to walk the cones course on foot before competing. Do this at least once, noting the tightest gates, the most awkward turns and any gates where you will need to approach from a specific angle. Sketch a diagram if it helps you memorise the route.
2

Know your plan before you cross the start line. Have a clear mental image of the entire course — including which direction you approach each gate from and what the next gate after each one is. Hesitation and indecision lead to poor lines and knockdowns.
3

Drive the inside wheel's line, not the gap between cones. An experienced driver navigates the inside wheel (the wheel closer to the centre of the turn) through a precise track, rather than aiming for the middle of the gap. Driving the inside line gives the outside wheel maximum clearance.
4

Manage your horse after the marathon. Your horse may be stiff or tired on the final day. Allow a proper warm-up period and assess how the horse is moving before you commit to a fast pace. A slightly slower clean round is always better than a fast round full of penalties.
5

Prioritise rhythm and accuracy over raw speed. The time allowance in cones is generally generous enough that a rhythmical, controlled round will be within time without needing to rush. Many knockdowns happen when drivers push for extra speed and lose the precision that accuracy requires.
6

Memorise the course — and then practise similar courses at home. Set up cone gates in your school or field using traffic cones and practise regularly. Start with wider gates and gradually reduce the width as your confidence and accuracy improve. This is the most effective way to build a feel for tight gate work.

Levels of Competition

Cones at Different Levels

The difficulty of the cones phase scales with the level of competition. At introductory and novice level, the cone width is set generously and the course is relatively straightforward — giving beginners the chance to experience the phase without being overwhelmed by the technical demands.

As you move up through intermediate and advanced classes, the cone widths reduce, the courses become more complex with tighter turns and more interweaving lines, and the time allowance becomes more challenging. At the top international level, the cones course is an extremely demanding technical exercise requiring exceptional horse-driver harmony.

This gradual progression makes combined driving accessible at every level — there is always the next challenge to work towards, but the entry point is genuinely welcoming to newcomers.